Summer 2012
Peak Use Charge 101
Prepared for the Peak
Now that summer is here, some of you may be wondering about the peak use charge
and how it affects you. First, a little bit of background. Fairfax Water produces an average of 167 million gallons a day to meet the demand for water. But
during hot summers we’ve had to produce up to 259 million gallons
a day to meet the demand. Efforts by our customers to conserve
water during our highest demand periods do help offset the need
for additional capacity. Nonetheless we need to make sure that our
treatment plants and storage capacity can meet this peak demand.
The peak use charge helps to recover the costs of ensuring that our
treatment facilities can meet the peak demand. Only those customers whose water-use patterns place a peak demand on the water
system are subject to the peak use charge. In specific terms, peak
use charges apply only if your water consumption in the summer
is greater than 1.3 times the amount of water you used during the
winter quarter billing periods, or is 6,000 gallons more than your
winter quarter water use.
Only two of your four quarterly bills are subject to peak use charges, those bills based
(cont. on page 3)
on meter readings taken from June through November. 2012 Annual Report on Your Water Quality
Raise Your Glass
In This Issue
Page 1
w Prepared for the Peak
w Raise Your Glass
Page 2
w Talk About Pressure!
w TapIt™ and Save
Page 3
w Nature’s Sprinkler
w Glad You Asked!
Page 4
w Kids’ Corner
w Mark Your Calendar
Have you ever wondered about the quality of
the water you drink? If so, you’re in luck. Fairfax Water has published the 2012 Annual
Report on Your Water Quality,
which provides extensive information about your water.
The report was included with the
inserts in The Washington Post on
Sunday, June 3, and was mailed to
customers who don’t subscribe to
the Post. If you did not receive a
copy, you can see the entire report
on our Web site at www.fairfaxwater.
org/water/water.htm or call 703-2896019, TTY 711, to request a copy.
The report is provided by law as
required under the right-to-know provisions
of the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. But we go beyond what the law
requires with both our report and our water
quality testing.
www.fairfaxwater.org
In addition to the water quality data we must
provide, you’ll see that in 2011 our laboratory gathered 13,000 samples
of water and tested for 350
parameters. You’ll also notice
that we did not violate any
state or federal water quality
regulations and we actually
surpassed many of them.
How do we go the extra mile
with the report? We add lots
of information to make it
easier for you to access our
services. In the 2012 report, you can find out how
to get emergency information,
keep your drains free of bacteria, and get information about your account at 3 a.m.
Reading about your water quality just might
make you want to raise your glass - filled with
ice water, of course!
Straight From the Tap
Talk About Pressure!
Water pressure seems to be a hot topic when it comes to
our customers. Based on Virginia Department of Health
(VDH) Water Works Regulations, Fairfax Water provides
each customer with a minimum of 20 pounds per square
inch (psi) of water pressure as measured at the water main
in the street. Our distribution operators work around the
clock to maintain pressure throughout the system.
Sometimes a water main break or a leak may interfere temporarily with your water pressure.
If you have an ongoing water pressure problem
(more than a full day), the culprit may be in
your home. If you are experiencing low water
pressure, here are some things you might want
to check:
• If the pressure is low throughout your
house, check that the master shut-off valve
is fully open. This valve is usually near
where the water service line enters the house.
• If your home has a pressure reducing valve (PRV), that
can cause low pressure throughout the house. Most PRVs
are bell-shaped devices installed in the water service line
near the master shutoff valve. PRVs should be adjusted by
a licensed plumber.
• If your home has a whole-house filter, it may be clogged.
• A sure sign that the problem is inside the house is that
you have normal pressure in at least one location in the
house. Typical things to check at fixtures include:
1. For sinks and toilets, make sure the supply-line valves
are fully open.
2. Remove and inspect aerators in sink faucets
for clogging.
3. Remove and inspect showerheads and
flow restrictors for clogging.
4. Check toilet-fill valves for proper
operation.
5. If only hot water is affected, make
sure the water heater shutoff valve is
fully open. If your water heater has a filter, make sure that it is not clogged.
• Low pressure also can be caused by a water leak
somewhere in your home or in the service line between the
water meter and your house. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. For information about finding leaks,
visit www.fairfaxwater.org/customer/detect.htm or call us at
703-698-5800, TTY 711.
If none of these culprits is causing your water pressure
problems, call Customer Service at 703-698-5800, TTY
711, for help. S
TapIt ™ and Save
Beginning in June, you can take advantage of TapIt™ in Fairfax
County and save time, money, and the environment. What is
TapIt? It is a network of cafés and eateries that let you fill your
reusable water bottle with great tasting tap water for free when
you are away from your home or office. Fairfax Water is partnering with the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments
(MWCOG) and the TapIt organization to provide this service to
our customers.
We’re Number 1 - Unfortunately
According to Back2Tap, the U.S. ranks first
in bottled-water consumption despite having
one of the most reliable public water systems
in the world. Here are some other interesting
facts about bottled water:
• Americans drink 140 million bottles of
water a day and spend more than 11 billion dollars a year on bottled water.
• Bottled water costs more per gallon than
gasoline.
• It takes 36 ounces of water to produce one
12-ounce plastic water bottle.
• Fifty percent of bottled water is repackaged tap water.
• It takes up to 2,000 times more energy
to produce a bottle of water than to run
a faucet.
TapIt was founded in 2008 in New York City as a way to help keep
plastic bottles out of landfills and streets by making tap water
more available when we’re on the go. The TapIt network now spans
22 states and includes more than 750 locations.
In June, businesses in Fairfax
County will begin joining the TapIt
network. By this fall, it is anticipated that 125 business locations
will be offering to fill your water
bottle for free. You can find these
locations by using the search and
mapping features at www.tapitwater.com on your computer or Smartphone or by
downloading ‘TapIt Water’ from the iPhone App Store. If you have limited access to
technology, you can download and print one of the TapIt city maps or simply look
for the TapIt sticker on the windows of your favorite cafes. S
2
703-698-5600,
TTY
711711
703-698-5600,
TTY
Straight From the Tap
Nature’s Sprinkler
We often hear from customers who are interested in setting up rain barrels in their yards. We applaud their efforts to be good stewards of our
natural resources. Water captured in rain barrels can be used to water
your lawn and keep your landscaping green. Before you install a rain
barrel, however, be sure to learn more about how to prevent mosquitoes
from breeding, how to determine if the rain barrel water is safe to use on
your garden, and how to secure your rain barrel to protect young children
and animals.
Two local organizations can provide information about rain barrels. The
first organization is the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation
District (NVSWCD). The NVSWCD’s goal is to promote clean streams and protect natural resources.
You can visit their Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.
gov/nvswcd/rainbarrels.htm or call 703-324-1460,
TTY 711, for information about their rain barrel
workshops.
The second resource for rain barrel information is
the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River
Basin (ICPRB). The ICPRB’s mission is to enhance,
protect, and conserve the water and associated
land resources of the Potomac River and its tributaries. They have food-grade rain barrels available
for purchase and offer free workshops on using
your rain barrel safely and effectively. Find more information on the
ICPRB Web site at www.potomacriver.org/2012/rain-barrels or call 301984-1908 (ext. 109), TTY 711. S
Prepared for the Peak
(cont. from page 1)
Peak use is billed at a rate of $3.20 per 1,000 gallons. This is in addition to the water usage charge of $2.16 per 1,000 gallons that applies
to all water consumption.
Your winter quarter consumption, or winter water use, serves as the
basis for calculating the peak use charge. The winter quarter consumption is based on water use during the quarterly billing period
ending in February, March, or April of each year. Your winter quarter
consumption is updated annually on June 1. You can find your winter
quarter consumption on each of your bills on the right-hand side just
below the due date. If you are a new customer, the peak use charge will
be applied to your bill only after you have established your first winter
quarter consumption.
As you know, your water bill includes your sewer usage charges as billed
by the Fairfax County Division of Wastewater Management. Your sewer
usage fee is based on water use during the current billing period or the
preceding winter quarter billing period, whichever is lower. This prevents
you from being charged sewer rates on water used outdoors during the
warmer months because this water flows into the ground or the stormdrains and is not treated by Wastewater Management.
If you have questions about the peak use charge, call us at 703-698-5800,
TTY 711. For more information about your sewer usage charges, call the
Fairfax County Division of Wastewater Management at 703-324-5015,
TTY 711, or visit the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/
dpwes/waste water/sewerrate.htm. S
www.fairfaxwater.org
Glad You Asked!
. I received my water bill the last Q
week of February. Enclosed was the winter issue of your newsletter,
Straight From The Tap. On the back page was
the feature “Mark Your Calendar” with eight
events listed. Five of the events had transpired by the time I received my bill with the
newsletter in it.
A
. Confusion about the timing of our
newsletter is understandable. We’re
happy to have the chance to explain.
In order to save on postage costs, the newsletter is sent with your bill instead of being mailed separately. Because we bill on
a quarterly basis, each issue is distributed
over a period of three months. For example, the winter issue begins distribution
the first week in December and continues
through the end of February.
While this is the
most
economical way to provide
the newsletter, as
you can imagine it
presents a challenge
in terms of timing.
For this reason, we
always include dates
up to six months out
in our calendar. Even
so, some of the dates
on the calendar will
have passed by the time
those on the end of the billing cycle receive
the newsletter.
We post the newsletter on our Web site as
soon as it begins distribution with the bills.
If you receive your bill later in the billing
cycle and would like to see the newsletter
earlier, each issue is posted on our Web site
at www.fairfaxwater.org, usually by the 6th of
December., March, June, and September. Click
on News to Know in the left-hand column – links
to all issues of the newsletter are at the bottom
of the News to Know page. S
If you have a question, concern, or compliment, contact us at [email protected] or call 703-698-5600,
TTY 711.
3
Straight From the Tap
Kids’ Corner
HOW MUCH WATER?
Draw a line matching each activity with the amount of water it requires.
1. Taking a shower
A. 30 gallons
We Want to Know. . .
2. Watering the lawn
B. 180 gallons
If you have comments or
suggestions about this
publication, please e-mail us at
[email protected], call us at
703-698-5600, or write to the
address below:
3. Washing the dishes
C. 4-7 gallons
4. Washing clothes
D. ½ gallon
5. Flushing the toilet
E. 39,090 gallons
6. Brushing teeth
F. 62,200 gallons
7. Drinking
G. 15-30 gallons
Straight From the Tap Editor
Fairfax Water
8570 Executive Park Ave.
Fairfax, VA 22031
8. Producing one ton of steel
H. 9.3 gallons
9. Processing one can of
fruit or vegetables
I. 1 gallon
10. Manufacturing a new car
and its four tires
J. 9-20 gallons
Fairfax Water Services
Questions about water service:
703-698-5800
After Hours/Emergencies:
703-698-5613
To report a water main break:
703-698-5613 or send an
e-mail to watermainbreak@
fairfaxwater.org.
Questions about billing:
703-698-5800
All other Fairfax Water
departments: 703-698-5600
Fairfax County Services
24-hour trouble-response
center for sewer back-ups or
sluggish flow in a sink, toilet, or
tub: 703-323-1211
Sanitary sewer back-ups and line
maintenance: 703-250-2003
Dig with C.A.R.E.
Miss Utility at 1-800-552-7001
or 811
Use TTY 711 (Virginia Relay)
for all numbers unless otherwise
stated.
Source: www.epa.gov/safewater
Answers: 1-G, 2-B, 3-J, 4-A,
5-C, 6-I, 7-D, 8-F, 9-H, 10-E
Important Numbers
The Science Guy
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
June - Nov.
Farmer’s Market/Plant Clinics
Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/
farmersmarkets or call 703-642-0128,
TTY 711, for complete schedule
Wed., July 4
Fairfax Water offices closed for
Independence Day
Sept. 1 - Oct. 31
2012 Virginia Waterways Cleanup
Find more information at
www.longwood.edu/cleanva/iccva.htm
Mon., Sept. 3
Fairfax Water offices closed for
Labor Day
Fairfax Water is a public, non-profit
water authority serving nearly 1.7 million people in the Northern Virginia
communities of Fairfax, Loudoun,
Prince William, Fort Belvoir, Herndon,
Dulles, and Alexandria.
www.fairfaxwater.org
Mon., Oct. 8
Fairfax Water offices closed for
Columbus Day
Mon., Nov. 12
Fairfax Water office closed for
Veterans Day
Thurs. and Fri., Nov. 22 & 23
Fairfax Water office closed for
Thanksgiving
Mon., Dec. 24
Fairfax Water offices closed at noon for
Christmas holiday
Tues., Dec. 25
Fairfax Water offices closed for
Christmas Day
Wa ter- S av ing
Tip
If your children want to cool off this summer, set up the sprinkler in an area where
your lawn most needs watering. For more
information and tips on saving water,
visit www.wateruseitwisely.com.